No. 906
ROSE TREE MEDIA
SCHOOL DISTRICT
SECTION:
COMMUNITY
TITLE:
PUBLIC CONCERNS
ADOPTED:
February 28, 2002
REVISED:
906. PUBLIC CONCERNS
1. Purpose
Any resident or community group shall have the right to present a request,
suggestion or concern regarding district personnel, the program, or the operations of
the district. At the same time, the Board has a duty to protect its staff from
unnecessary harassment. It is the intent of this policy to provide a fair and impartial
manner for seeking appropriate remedies.
2. Authority
Any misunderstandings between the public and the school district shall be resolved
by direct discussions of an informal type among the interested parties. It is only
when such informal meetings fail to resolve the differences that more formal
procedures will be employed.
3. Delegation of
Responsibility
Any requests, suggestions or concerns reaching Board members and the Board shall
be referred to the Superintendent for consideration and action. In the event that
further action is warranted, based on the initial investigation, such action shall be in
accordance with the following procedures.
4. Guidelines
1. Matters Regarding A Teaching Staff Member
First Level - a matter specifically directed toward a teaching staff member shall
be addressed, initially, to that staff member who shall discuss it with the
concerned party and make every effort to provide a reasoned explanation or take
appropriate action within his/her authority.
Second Level - If the matter cannot be satisfactorily resolved at the first level, it
shall be discussed by the concerned party with the building principal. After
contacting the building principal or supervisor, s/he will attempt to schedule a
meeting of the parties involved within four (4) days.
a.
Legal counsel or bona fide intermediaries invited by either party may be
present.
b.
A written record of this meeting will be kept in case needed for further
appeal steps.
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906. PUBLIC CONCERNS - Pg. 2
c.
The principal or other supervisor will render a judgment within four (4) days
of this meeting.
Third Level If a satisfactory solution is not achieved by discussion with the
building principal, the principal shall attempt to schedule a conference with the
Superintendent within three (3) days. The principal will furnish to the
Superintendent a report which will include the specific nature of the complaint
and a brief statement of the facts giving rise to it.
Upon receipt of notification, the Superintendent will conduct a preliminary
inquiry. At the conclusion of the inquiry, s/he will either dismiss the charge or
initiate a formal investigation. A formal investigation will be held only if
sufficient documentation and evidence is presented by the citizen.
Fourth Level - Should the matter still not be resolved by the Superintendent, or if
it is beyond his/her authority and requires Board action, the Superintendent shall
furnish the Board with a complete report within five (5) days.
The Board, after reviewing all material relating to the case, shall provide the
concerned party with its written decision and may grant a hearing before the
Board or before a committee of the Board.
The concerned party shall be advised, in writing, of the Board's decision, no
more than ten (10) days following the hearing.
All results of a citizen's concern will be shared with the citizen and the person
about whom the complaint was made.
2. Matters Regarding An Administrative Staff Member
In the case of a concern directed toward an administrative staff member, the
general procedure specified in Part 1, shall be followed. The concern shall be
discussed, initially, with the person toward whom it is directed and if a
satisfactory resolution is not achieved at this level, the matter shall be brought, as
required, to higher levels in accordance with the organization chart of the school
district, terminating with the School Board.
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906. PUBLIC CONCERNS - Pg. 3
3. Matters Regarding A Noninstructional Staff Member
In the case of a concern directed toward a noninstructional staff member, the
concern is to be directed, initially, with the person toward whom it is directed,
and if a satisfactory resolution is not achieved at this level, the matter shall be
brought to the person's superior, and the matter then brought, as required, to
higher levels in accordance with the organization chart of the school district in
the manner prescribed in Part 1.
Pol. 108
4. Matters Regarding a Program, Operation or Instructional Materials
A request, suggestion, or concern, relating to a matter of district or school policy,
procedure, program, operation or instructional materials, should be addressed,
initially, to the building principal or the head of the nonprofessional department
who is most directly concerned; and then brought, in turn, to higher levels of
authority in the manner prescribed in Part 1.
Pol. 113
5. Matters Regarding Pupil Progress and Well-Being
In the case of a concern directed toward this area, the general procedures
specified in Part 1 shall be followed.
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